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23rd Jun 2025

JK Rowling praises BBC presenter for refusing ‘pregnant people’ term

Ava Keady

The Harry Potter author praised the BBC presenter on social media.

JK Rowling has praised a BBC presenter for refusing ‘pregnant people’ term on air.

It came after Martine Croxall overruled an autocue line which used the term ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘women’.

The 56-year-old journalist was introducing new research on the number of heat-related deaths expected during Britain’s heatwave.

When the term ‘pregnant people’ appeared on the autocue, Croxall initially said it, but then paused and amended it with a smile.

“Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people – women! – and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions,” she read aloud.

The Harry Potter author, who has come under fire for her views on transgender issues, took to X to praise the BBC journalist.

“I have a new favourite BBC presenter,” she wrote.

She quoted a video posted by SEEN in Journalism which said: ““Good to see accuracy on BBC News.”

It’s been reported that the term ‘pregnant people’ was used in the research and not written by the BBC itself.

Other social media users praised the journalist for using ‘common sense’, with others referring to her as a ‘force of female nature.’

“Takes a brave, brave lady to do this at the BBC,” said another user.